Kirstine J. Bell, from the University of Sydney, and colleagues conducted a systematic review of relevant databases to examine research on the effects of dietary fat, protein, and glycemic index on acute postprandial glucose control in type 1 diabetes. Data were included from all studies examining the effect of fat, protein, and GI (7 each).

The researchers found that fat, protein, and GI modified postprandial glycemia. The predominant effect of dietary fat was late postprandial hyperglycemia; in some studies, there was a reduction in glucose concentrations in the first 2 to 3 hours, possibly as a result of delayed gastric emptying.

"These studies have important implications for clinical practice and patient education and point to the need for research focused on the development of new insulin dosing algorithms based on meal composition rather than on carbohydrate content alone," the authors write.